Other information

What is stress management?

Stress can be caused by one-off life events (e.g. accidents, divorce, bereavement, moving house) or by ongoing situations (e.g. money worries, arguments at home or work, discrimination or bullying). Sometimes the cause of the problem is clear, at other times we don't really know what it is that's getting us down. But we need to take action or it all becomes too much to cope with.

Download my free leaflet on stress symptoms [here] to understand how and why stress can affect so many aspects of your life, then check out the rest of this part of the site to see how I can help.

Of course, some of the physical symptoms of stress can also be caused by other conditions which need medical treatment. This needs to be checked out by your GP so if this applies to you it's wise to start there. Otherwise (or afterwards) please feel free to contact me for help to reduce your stress.

How can stress management help?

Some people are unsure how stress management can help them, if the situation that's causing the stress is unavoidable, or in the past and can't be changed. But learning better coping strategies can help you reduce the symptoms and feel in control again. Because I understand all aspects of stress, and its impact on your mind, body and life, I can help you find your unique solution.

Together, we can put together a practical and realistic stress management programme to suit you. This might include looking at

the causes of your stress (if you don't already know them)

why you have difficulty in dealing with stress

effective and practical ways to relieve your stress symptoms

new coping strategies for stressful situations

any practical/lifestyle changes you need to make to help you cope better with stress in the future

The techniques used in each session vary but might include coaching, counselling, NLP (neuro linguistic programming), and/or visualisation exercises. Because each programme is unique, it's hard to say in advance how many sessions you might need, but the average is around four to six. A free 'introduction to stress management' appointment is available on request.

At your first session, you will be given a CD containing a guided relaxation session and some free ebooks, to use at home. You're also likely to be given 'homework' such as completing or carrying out tasks we've identified as helpful during the sessions.

Getting your stress under control is unlikely to happen overnight, it's generally more of a process than an event, but it can happen and you can feel more in control.